Linderhof

Gardening, Cooking and Decorating on the Prairie of Kansas

Welcome to Linderhof, our 1920's home on the prairie, where there's usually something in the oven, flowers in the garden for tabletops and herbs in the garden for cooking. Where, when company comes, the teapot is always on and there are cookies and cakes to share in the larder.

Monday, July 4, 2011

An English Sunday Tea

When we "lived" in Swerford at Blue Row for a month, we were able to do things that residents do. That included a Sunday Afternoon Tea in the village next to us -- Great Tew. At the

Saint Michaels and All Angels Church

For it was a fundraiser tea and concert

For the organ fund

At the door -- watching over the donation basket . . .

Was Margaret. One of the church ladies whose responsbility the tea was.

Besides all the church ladies bringing tea treats, they were also responsible for brewing and serving the tea. Brewing in real tea pots and serving in real tea cups!

And, of course, any time that church ladies have anything to do with food . . . .

The tables are laden!!!! What a choice for afternoon tea.

After you worked your way down the tea treat table . . .

You took your goodies and your tea cup and sat in the pews while the church organist played the organ. There is nothing like afternoon tea and chat in England!

And our selections included . . .

Scones with whipped cream and fresh strawberries . . . . and

The classic Victorian Sponge . . . . and . . .

My personal favorite, coffee walnut cake. Of course, no tea is complete unless there are

Sandwiches . . . cheese and . . .

Cucumber! All crustless and cut into quarters. Small tea sandwiches!!!

It was a fun Sunday afternoon -- we were glad to assist in the fundraising and we were especially glad to get to visit with some of the villagers and have such a brilliant tea. It was one of the things that we wanted to do in our month in England -- attend local functions!

22 comments:

Martha, this is just glorious. As I sit here, New York tempo in my dna, I look at the sane, civilized idea of a Sunday afternoon tea, and realize there really is another way. Thank you, as always, for showing the great beauty that often gets overlooked in the hectic pace.

How utterly delightful! My husband would be in his glory to sit at that organ. He has played many pipe organs and loves each second of it. And the food-how magnificent! I've never tasted the coffee cake but feel the need of looking up a recipe.

I found you wandering around from somewhere. I think through a link from The Winter's Reverie.

You are living my dream, milady! To live in an English country village and soak in the delights of all that history with such a tea everyday - and books to read in the garden. My mouth was watering for the Victorian sponge cake! Thanks for sharing such a marvelous village tea!Joy!Miss kathy

Oh, Martha, this is delightful! The savouries and sweets look divine; especially the Victorian sponge cake! Love the pipe organ! How I would love to walk the streets of my ancestors and take in an afternoon tea. A delightful post! Thank you for sharing this with Tea Time and have a lovely day.

Lovely post as always Martha.Here's link for the recipe of Coffee & Walnut Cake from the quintesential English cook Nigel Slater - I can HIGHLY recommend it!http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2003/sep/28/foodanddrink.shopping

Hi Martha,Sunday spent with tea and treats in church while the organ plays, is simply divine!!Love all the delicious confections especially the coffee walnut cake.So yummy.The organ is beautiful. I would love to play that amazing instrument.Thank you for sharing such a wonderful time for tea.Hugs from Texas,Celestina Marie

Martha,I wish I were there! It has been long, long time since I was in England and I love it there. I love the idea of having a tea right in your church and eating your treats right in the pews! Why not? I am new to all of this tea cup knowledge. I would love to have you stop in!Fondly,Suz